CALUM RUNCIMAN

No two days are the same

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the variety. No two weeks ever look alike. Some days are heavily focused on technical work and making sure every detail is accurate. Other days are more about communication, problem-solving and keeping clients and advisers updated.

I enjoy the pace of it. There’s always something new to learn, and every client situation is different. That variety keeps things interesting and pushes me to keep developing my skills. At the heart of it all is teamwork. Financial planning works best when everyone works together properly, and I enjoy being part of a team that genuinely wants to deliver a great service for clients.”

Built on relationships

I’ve always been interested in finance, but what really drew me into this career was the people side of the role. I enjoy building long-term relationships and helping people feel supported. Financial planning is about far more than numbers. Behind every recommendation or piece of advice is a person, a family or a business trying to achieve something important.

That’s what makes the work rewarding for me. I support advisers who work with all types of clients, from private individuals and families to professional clients and business owners. My role is to help ensure nothing gets missed, communication stays clear, and clients receive the level of service they expect from AAB Wealth. For me, trust is everything.

Listening is the priority

One thing I believe strongly about when building relationships is that listening matters more than speaking. You learn far more by properly understanding someone’s concerns, priorities and goals than by rushing into solutions too quickly. Whether I’m working with advisers, colleagues or clients, I always try to focus on listening carefully and understanding what’s needed before taking action.

That approach also helps build confidence. People want to know they’re being heard and that the people supporting them genuinely care about getting things right. A lot of strong relationships are built simply by following through on expectations. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. Clear communication, reliability and consistency go a long way.

Solving problems together

One of the most rewarding parts of being at AAB Wealth is the team environment. Everyone works together to solve problems and deliver the best possible experience for clients. There’s a strong sense of support across the business, and people are always willing to help each other when challenges arise.

Client work can often be complex, but that’s part of what makes the role enjoyable. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn something new and improve the way we work. I also think it’s important to recognise when collaboration is needed. Nobody has all the answers all the time, especially when dealing with more technical or specialist areas. Asking for help when needed is a strength, not a weakness, and it ultimately leads to better outcomes for clients.

Focused on the future

I’m always looking to keep developing my technical knowledge, particularly in more complex areas of advice. The financial planning industry is constantly evolving, and there’s always more to learn. That’s something I enjoy. The more knowledge and experience you build, the better equipped you are to support both advisers and clients.

Alongside technical development, I also want to continue strengthening the relationship side of the role. Strong communication, reliability and trust are skills that never stop being important in this profession.